The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Ghanaians travelling to Senegal to vaccinate against communicable diseases, including DPT, Hepatitis A and B, and yellow fever, ahead of their trip.
The travel advisory comes as the Senegalese Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs eased travel regulations. Although presentation of vaccination certificates for diseases like yellow fever, DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), measles, and hepatitis A and B is no longer required for entry, vaccination is recommended for health protection purposes.
Health authorities generally align with international guidance that yellow fever vaccination continues to be advised for travellers to regions with risk of transmission, even where certificates are not checked on arrival.
Despite the Senegalese announcement that vaccination certificates are no longer mandatory, the country is located in a region where vaccination against yellow fever is recommended by global health organizations to reduce risk of infection and spread.
Historically, yellow fever and other vaccine-preventable diseases remain a concern in parts of West Africa, with national immunization plans in countries like Senegal continuing to prioritize widespread vaccine coverage to protect public health.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, in a statement, urged its nationals nonetheless to consult healthcare providers for routine vaccinations against communicable diseases to ensure their health safety as they travel to Dakar.
“However, presentation of vaccination certificates for these diseases is not mandatory for entry into the Senegalese territory. Ghanaian travellers are, nonetheless, encouraged to consult healthcare providers for their routine vaccinations prior to travel, in order to safeguard their health while abroad,” the statement read.
The Ministry further affirmed its commitment to providing tamely information aimed at ensuring the maximum safety, welfare, and well being of Ghanaians.
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